Sunday, April 19, 2009

On the 17th April I had released a statement on the urgent need to restructure HINDRAF and the setting up of a New Committee and Working Groups.

This statement has been misinterpreted and misunderstood by certain segment of the public which read it as though we are replacing our coordinators. This is not the case as it merely a restructuring exercise.

The original 10 member committee was set up to oversee the campaign and demands for the release of HINDRAF leaders and since then those appointed to the position of coordinators have moved on to undertake other key responsibilities which is far more challenging with the increased need of the society.

Manoharan and Manickavasagam have since been elected members of Parliament, which requires them to positively contribute to the country and their constituents.

Surendran solely has been mounted with the uphill task of handling the burden of all legal matters which was previously handled by 3 of the HINDRAF Lawyers (Uthaya, Manoharan and Genga).

Tanendran has since indicated that he is serious about forming his own political party.

With the recent change of the country’s leadership earlier this month, I am of the opinion HINDRAF have to “cave in” for a longer period to struggle for the society to pressure the Government to meet our demands as well as working together in co-operation with all opposition parties to prepare for the next General Election.

As chairman ofHINDRAF, I can state that the valuable and sound advice, support and contribution from the aforesaid Politicians, Members of Parliament and Legal advisor has been vital in spearheading HINDRAF in its struggle. The continuous support from them would only strengthen the movement’s direction in fulfilling the demands of the Indian community

The expectations and aspirations of the Indian community are beyond the original demands and HINDRAF needs to keep up with the needs and changes to be relevant and “a player” in the field of Human Rights in Malaysia.

In these circumstances a complete revamp and restructure is needed to face the new challenges.

Barely 48 hours after suspending all Hindraf coordinators, the outlawed movement's exiled leader P Waythamoorthy has now been forced to defend his decision.

His move to clarify the suspension came about following a deepening rift between London-based Waythamoorthy and the movement's grassroots leaders and supporters who were fighting for the cause here.It is also learnt that Waythamoorthy's clarification was as much as to assuage the bruised egos of the suspended coordinators, which included some opposition parliamentarians and well-known rights activists.

"A complete revamp and restructure is needed to face the new challenges (for Hindraf)," Waythamoorthy told Malaysiakini today in explaining his decision to suspend the coordinators.

He said that his original intention to suspend the coordinators has been "misinterpreted and misunderstood by certain segment of the public".

"They read it as though we are replacing our coordinators. This is not the case as it is merely a restructuring exercise," he added.

And he went on to further explain the need for such an exercise.

Changes needed to remain relevant

He said that the original 10-member committee was set up towards the end of 2007 to oversee the movement's campaign in fighting for the rights of the Indian community and to demand for the release of Hindraf leaders held under the Internal Security Act in December 2007.

By then Waythamoorthy had also left the country to spearhead the movement from London.

However, he added, those appointed to the position of coordinators have now moved on to undertake other key responsibilities which were far more challenging with the increased needs of the society.

He gave the examples of M Manoharan (Teluk Intan) and S Manikavasagam (Kapar) (right) who have since become parliamentarians for the opposition.

He said that another coordinator N Surendran had been forced to take up all legal matters involving Hindraf as all other Hindraf legal advisors were under the ISA detention.

And as for the movement's national coordinator RS Thanenthiran, Waythamoorthy said the former has since indicated that he was serious about forming his own political party.

"As chairperson of Hindraf, I can state that the valuable and sound advice, support and contribution from the aforesaid politicians, members of parliament and legal advisor have been vital in spearheading our struggle.

"The continuous support from them would only strengthen the movement's direction in fulfilling the demands of the Indian community," he added.

However, he said that the expectations and aspirations of the Indian community were beyond the original demands and Hindraf needed to keep up with the needs and changes to be relevant.

"In these circumstances, a complete revamp and restructuring is needed to face the new challenges. The new structure would be announced in the next few days," he said.

Grumble in the ground

On Friday, Waythamoorthy dropped a bombshell by announcing the suspension of the movement's 10 state and national coordinators with immediate effect. He replaced them with a three-person interim committee.

Among those dropped from the line-up included the movement's top coordinator Thanenthiran (left) who had been helming the group locally while Waythamoorthy was in self-imposed exile.

Waythamoorthy also placed a gag order on the dropped coordinators.

The coordinators, while publicly have stated that they accepted Waythamoorthy's decision, have privately expressed their disappointment with the move.

It is learnt that some of them were caught unaware by their suspension, leaving them embarrassed in having to explain the situation to their supporters.

These coordinators have played a pivotal role in keeping the Hindraf movement alive and relevant, including successfully turning the Indian voters to support the opposition in the 2008 general election.

However, there have been complaints recently that the movement and some of its coordinators have become politically ambitious.

Who is Waythamoorthy?

Waythamoorthy's decision to suspend the coordinators also did not go down well with some Hindraf supporters who had turned against the movement's leader by questioning his judgement.

And highlighting the widening rift in the movement, leading Tamil daily Malaysia Nanban today carried a headline which asked ‘Who is Waythamoorthy?'

The daily quoted some grassroots supporters questioning Waythamoorthy's decision to remain overseas while faulting the local coordinators.

"He should have been here fighting with us for our cause rather than issuing statements from overseas," they said.

To do so, he said, would be to concede defeat to the opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The former PM does not seem to be on the same page as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who floated the idea yesterday of not contesting the polls.

The PM had argued that contesting elections he claimed were unnecessary was a waste of public funds.

His idea appeared to have gained traction with many BN leaders voicing their support and accusing Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim of using elections for political purposes.

Since last year’s landmark general elections, BN has lost four out of five by-elections held so far to Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

The latest defeats, in Bukit Gantang and Bukit Selambau, were particularly galling for BN as it came soon after Najib took over as PM from Tun Abdullah Badawi, the man who has been singled out for blame for the coalition’s poor performances.

Today, Election Commission (EC) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Yusof was quoted by Sin Chew Daily as saying he was seeking a meeting with both BN and PR to urge them not to contest the polls.

The EC chairman echoed Najib’s call, but he did not cite any legal or constitutional provisions which would allow the vote to be called off.

Dr Mahathir’s latest remarks will be the latest test for Najib’s fledgling leadership of BN as the PM will want to assert his leadership.

The Penanti state seat has fallen vacant due to the resignation of Fairus Khairuddin, who also resigned recently as the state’s deputy chief minister amid graft allegations.

Penanti is a state seat which falls within Anwar’s Permatang Pauh parliamentary constituency.

Yesterday, Anwar also welcomed Najib’s suggestion, saying he was happy if BN did not contest the vote.

Barisan Nasional can win back the people if its elected representatives are humble, credible and become champions of fair play, justice and transparency.

By WONG CHUN WAI, The Star

THE 1Malaysia concept being promoted by Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak may mean different things to different people but the bottom line is simple – the Prime Minister wants a sense of one people and one nation.

He is not keen to set up think-tanks comprising academicians to draw up lofty ideals on what this concept is about.

He wants the idea to evolve and to take shape as the concept is promoted, more importantly, practised and not just remain a slogan for a leader who has just taken office and wants to be seen to be popular.

Over the past two weeks, he has been asked at almost every press briefing what 1Malaysia really means.

Malay nationalist groups are worried that it would be like the Malaysian Malaysia concept mooted by the DAP while some non-Malay groups have cynically dismissed it as unworkable in Malaysia. Chinese newspaper editors have grappled with translating the term, which comes with a numeral. They have loosely described it as “a Malaysia for all”.

Every noble idea must be given a chance to grow. Najib means well and he understands that something new would need time to be explained and accepted.

He has softened the fears of right-wing Malay groups by saying that no ethnic group should be marginalised and also stressed that while affirmative action would remain, it must be implemented fairly.

He has continuously used one example at every discussion with editors – award of scholarships to top students. No applicant should be deprived because of his or her ethnicity. He made it a point to the 1Malaysia concept at his first Cabinet meeting, saying the nation should rise above race and work together as a nation.

Double talk

Najib is serious in reaching out to all. His 1Malaysia website now has a Chinese version and moves are being made to include a Tamil one as well.

Interestingly, his son who is pursuing studies in Georgetown University in the US is studying Chinese and has a Shanghainese as a roommate.

There’s no denying that racial differences have gnawed the nation and politicians must take much of the blame.

For 1Malaysia to work, our politicians, including ministers, need to exercise plenty of self-restraint.

They cannot spew racist remarks to become champions of their races, and then talk about national unity.

The days of talking to different audiences and expecting such double talk not to reach the ears of other communities are over.

Words like “kita memberi amaran” (we warn) and “kita tidak akan kompromi” (we will not compromise) must be taken off the speeches and remarks of our leaders. In short, they should be banned.

The bosses of TV stations should remind their reporters and presenters not to use “orang kita” (our own people) when they speak, seemingly oblivious to the fact that all races watch their programmes.

Similarly, it is disturbing when a national newspaper uses a provocative front-page headline like “Bangkitlah Melayu” (Malays arise) and in the same breath, call for national unity and carry a picture of the PM joining Sikhs in making chapati during the Vasakhi celebrations.

While English language newspapers have taken a more guarded role in their reporting as their readership is multi-racial, there is a need for vernacular newspapers to take off racial prisms.

Sometimes, the inability to find an appropriate translation or use of a quote without looking out of context can lead to emotional debates with racial tones. The printed version can never reflect the tone used by the speaker and often, it conjures a different, if not inaccurate perspective.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin found himself in such a spot last week when he was talking about the voting trend of the Chinese in the two by-elections.

The Deputy Prime Minister, who has a clean record for making moderate statements, took the trouble to spend an hour with Chinese newspaper editors to explain the context.

They, in turn, expressed their views on the report and the sentiments of the community.

Both Najib and Muhyiddin have pleaded for a chance. They have hardly been in office for two weeks.

The PM has just chaired his first Cabinet meeting and most of the ministers are now attending daily briefings to learn more about their res­pective ministries and their scope of duties. It is still very early days of the Najib Administration and Malaysians certainly want him to succeed.

No one expects overnight changes but the PM is aware of the expectations. He knows the heavy responsibility and that time is running against him. He understands that the old methods don’t work but at the same time, he also needs to convince the hardened grassroots leaders, set in their own mindsets, that he cannot fall back on outdated approaches to win back the hearts and minds of the new Malay­sians.

The wishes of most Malaysians are simple. They are merely asking for fair play, justice and transparency in the government. They want their representatives to be down to earth and credible.

It isn’t so hard for the Barisan to win back the votes if they can just carry out these simple requests. More importantly, they should be leaders of all Malaysians, not just of their own communities.

But Husam is actually a traditionalist in party sense. Furthermore, he is indeed a ‘boringly ultra religious’ person. He has won the battle of winning the heart and mind of the non Malays and the young Malaysians not because of his willingness to strip the religious attire from his six footer built but due to his diligence in applying his religious knowledge into his administrative styles and using religious as a way of life instead of a way to make others feel discriminated.

When Pas President Tuan Guru Haji Hadi Awang walked passed me, the wording of Mary Hopkins’s, Those Were The Days linger between my ears.

The day before he left for Kota Bharu, Haji Hadi made a statement from the comfort of his home claiming that he has withdrawn his offer for the formation of Unity Government.

“I made the suggestion to Abdullah because we (I) see him as a leader with the least problems, but I don’t see any such Umno leader now,” Hadi told The Malaysian Insider.

I disagree with Hadi to withdrawn the offer, because if he wants to make the offer, it should be made to the new Prime Minister not the outgoing PM.

Making the offer for Abdullah, after PAS has worked very hard to bring down Abdullah is absurd. The whole country has been wrecked by Abdullah indecisiveness and series of misjudgement. How on earth could we justify prolonging the damage to this country?

Last night, Haji Hadi made a statement in Kota Bharu claiming he is ready to be challenged as president.

Bernama reported that Hadi as saying that he would remain with PAS whether he was re-elected president or otherwise at the general assembly, expected to be held in Shah Alam in June.

This statement maybe coincide with the rumours that Nik Aziz has obtained his first two nominations to contest for President by a Division in the Federal Territory and a division in Kedah.

Strictly playing by the tradition, neither Nik Aziz nor any of his aides has mention anything about having the Spiritual Leader to hold the highest executive position in PAS.

Nevertheless many outsiders especially the non Muslim are expecting a strong blend of Kelantan leaders will fill the important position in PAS because of the trust and respects the non Malays have toward them due to their administrative experience at State level and their popularity at national level.

They are also expecting names like Dato’ Seri Ir. Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin, Sallahudin Ayub and Mohamad Sabu to make it as the vice president. Nevertheless out of the three names, one may not make it as PAS delegates normally will fill one of the three vice president positions with an Islamic Scholar.

While Nizar made his name as the people’s Menteri Besar of Perak, Sallahuddin is seen as the pillar that managed to control the extremist within the PAS Youth Wing from exploding ala Taliban.

Today, The PAS President Hadi received a warm and rapturous welcome to The PAS Kubang Kerian Division. Leading the welcoming committee is no other that the Division Chief Dato’ Haji Husam Musa, the Vice President of PAS.

Husam is seen to be providing the morale support to his President while at the same time Husam is also seen as Nik Aziz top loyalist.

When Husam led the President to his seat in front of the delegates who are Husam’s staunch supporters at the Religious School in Pasir Tumbuh, it can be seen how comfortable the President felt at the moment.

Officiating Husam’s division at the moment went Husam is seen as the biggest threat to Nasaruddin Mat Isa future as Deputy President of PAS may has send the signal of Hadi’s approval to Husam to take a step up in the leadership hierarchy of PAS. At the same time, it may also send the signal to other division about the hidden warm relationship between both of them.

Husam is actually a stabiliser within PAS. He is the most misunderstood character within the party hierarchy. Many have seen Husam as the reformist and among the accusation thrown to him is he is more UMNO than green.

But Husam is actually a traditionalist in party sense. Furthermore, he is indeed a ‘boringly ultra religious’ person. He has won the battle of winning the heart and mind of the non Malays and the young Malaysians not because of his willingness to strip the religious attire from his six footer built but due to his diligence in applying his religious knowledge into his administrative styles and using religious as a way of life instead of a way to make others feel discriminated.

In a matter of fact, Hadi needs Husam more than Nik Aziz ever did. And it shall be very comforting to know that Husam is a loyalist. Something that Nik Aziz has known all along.

Nevertheless, one thing for sure, it shall be more lonely friday nights ahead in what shall be the less productive months of the year.

The speculation is that the Barisan Nasional will not contest in the forthcoming Penanti State by-elections after the resignation of PKR Assemblyman and former Deputy Penang Chief Minister 1 Mohammad Fairus Khairuddin over alleged corruption and over recent reports by Prime Minister and BN Chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Razak that its a waste of time, energy and money holding a by-elections over resignations.

Look at the arrogance of UMNO who lead the Barisan Nasional, it is really unbelievable that they will not contest, although the odds at Penanti are that its a stronghold of the Opposition and with current developments in Perak, the voting trend would even be more disastrous since the judiciary are also become 'lawmakers' and read the Federal Constitution according to the wishes of their 'masters'.

But whatever the decision, the Opposition will once again secure this seat comfortably unless some form of 'dirty' tricks are employed by this 'uncaring corrupted and arrogant' UMNO dominated Barisan Nasional front.

KUALA KANGSAR, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Raja Muda of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah today said he would take on the primary responsibility of implementing all efforts to ensure that the institution of royalty which was core to the system of governance and nationhood in the country would continue to be protected.

"An offspring will not allow the dignity and sovereignty of a ruler to be ridiculed. As such the people must be conscious not to be hasty to throw the lamp away, as daylight too will end.

"Let it not be that as night falls, people grope about directionless, blanketed in darkness without a lamp," he said at the pledging of loyalty and awards ceremony in conjunction with the 81st birthday of the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Azlan Shah at Istana Iskandariah here Sunday.

He said the Malay rulers were not just symbols in the country but that the Malay Sultanate had an important role as the centre of strength for the people.

Raja Nazrin said the administrative system with Malay Sultanate as its core had been in place for more than 600 years and had succeeded in developing a great culture and civilization.

He said the wisdom of royalty aided the developmental process of intellectuality and from the palace emanated great works of art in writings.

"The Malay rulers are the symbols of sovereignty -- the symbols of citizens' strength -- the umbrella for the country's crown. The Malay rulers give identity to the nation.

"People who understand the culture of monarchy, will understand the philosophy of royal administration, the role of rulers, especially the role and responsibility of holding up national identity," he said.

He said the continuity of a race and the face of a nation depended on factors that gave it identity from the aspects of institutions, religion, culture and language.

"Actions of insulting institutions, ridiculing institutions, fermenting hatred towards institutions are early steps in the movement towards abolishing the institutions - therefore abolishing the original identity of the country's race.

"During the Cold War, such steps came from groups who held on to left-wing political doctrine and were categorised as subversives.

"In the name of the Cultural Revolution in China and communist indoctrination in Cambodia and Vietnam, children were incited to extreme levels, hating and making enemies of their own parents; religious leaders were criticised and places of worship destroyed; some places of worship turned into places to breed animals; leading to anarchy that had to be paid with lives and blood; and the social fabric destroyed," he said.

Raja Nazrin said the world now faced waves of globalisation -- waves that hit all borders -- to break down cultural walls and possibly drowning national history.

He said the younger generation which was being hit by the globalisation waves should be wise to balance claims of tradition and demands of modernity.

He said there were some who believed that to progress, focus must be on a progressive culture and they said that traditions and history would cause backwardness in a static culture.

"Globalisation actually brings waves of new colonialism to drown the traditions of a country, wiping out original identity.

"People must be aware that not all that is traditional hinders progress as tradition that is interpreted wisely and intelligently can function to bring progress.

"The cultural elements that have been factors of unity till this day are priceless social capital that should be defended," he said.

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and three others headed the the list of 800 recipients of awards and medals in conjunction with Sultan Azlan Shah's 81st birthday.